GATEWAY SCHOLARS

Our Mission

The Gateway Scholars Program is run by Student Success Initiatives (SSI) with the collaboration and support of the Student Outreach & Retention (SOAR) Center. Our goal is to support eligible students throughout their time at UCI by giving them the knowledge and resources needed to successfully navigate campus and prepare for life after college. Educational partnerships make up a cohort of students consisting of first-year, continuing, and transfer students who will receive support through intentional programming and advising to meet their academic, personal, and professional needs as they make their transition into UC Irvine.

Eligibility

In order to apply, students must be a participant from one of the following educational partnerships:

Council of African American Parents
Compton College Promise Initiative
Santa Ana Unified School District
Santa Ana College Promise Program
Anaheim Union Education Pledge (Anaheim Union HS District, Cypress and Fullerton Colleges)
KIPP Alumni
Reality Changers of San Diego
Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano

Advantages

Gateway Scholars will have access to the following resources and services:

1:1 academic counseling
Peer mentorship with SOAR Pathfinders
Specialized workshops and events held by SSI as well as SOAR
Access to SSI’s Learning & Academic Resource Center (LARC) sponsorship each quarter
Access to SSI’s Item Loan Program
Free testing materials (Blue Books, scantrons, etc.) from SOAR and SSI
Low cost printing at SSI
Specialized senior support (organizing post graduation plans, graduate school, etc.)
Community with both SSI and SOAR
GRADUATING SENIORS: program graduation stole for Spring 2025 commencement*

Program Requirements

Gateway Scholars must complete/meet the following requirements throughout the academic year:

Gateway Scholar Program Requirements
2025-2026

Commit to the program for the entirety of the academic year (fall – spring)
Must attend the Gateway Scholar Orientation, Week 0 of Fall Quarter (Tues. Sept. 23rd, 3:00pm – 5:30pm)
Must meet with the Gateway Scholars counselor at least ONCE per quarter.
Must meet with your Peer Mentor (SOAR Pathfinder or SSI Peer Educator) at least ONCE per quarter
Attend one(1) SSI workshop per quarter
Attend one(1) SOAR event per academic year
Complete all program logs and evaluations
Graduating Seniors: complete one(1) resume review with Gateway Scholars Counselor or the Division of Career Pathways

How to Apply

Applications open in the summer prior to each academic year. As Gateway Scholars is an opt in program, all students, new and continuing must apply each year. Eligible first year students will be contacted directly.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year cohort have closed. If you are interested in applying for 2026-2027, please check back in July 2026.